Regional

Northeast chief ministers mourn Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s demise

Chief ministers of North-eastern states have condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday.

MANIPUR: As mark of respect to the departed leader Manipur government will observe a one-day holiday on August 17.

Manipur government has declared holiday on August 17 for all offices and educational institutions under the state government as a mark of respect to the departed former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Public holidays will also be observed in all banks in Manipur on the same day under the Negotiable Instrument Act 1881.

In his condolence message, chief minister N Biren Singh said that Vajpayee was one of the leading and longstanding politicians of the country, who had left a mark of his own during his long public life.

A statesman and towering figure in Indian politics, Vajpayee was a Member of Parliament for over four decades - 10 times in the Lok Sabha and twice in the Rajya Sabha, he said.

Vajpayee was one of the founders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980. He became the Prime Minister of the country three times as well, Singh added.

The chief minister further remembered the former Prime Minister as a man of sharp intellect and outstanding wit. Renowned for his powerful oratory and poetry, Vajpayee would ever remain an inspiration to all Indians.

He was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2014.

In his passing away, India has lost a great leader who had redefined Indian politics, the Chief Minister said.

While sharing his grief with the bereaved family of the departed leader and the people of the country, he also prayed that the great leader’s soul may rest in peace.

MEGHALAYA: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Kongkal Sangma on Thursday expressed his grief over the death of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, saying that he will be remembered by the northeasterners for his keen interest on developing this landlocked region.

The Meghalaya government has announced a state holiday on Friday as a mark respect to the former Prime Minister.

“Vajpayee was a veteran and able administrator who served the nation in different spheres.

He was a Member of Parliament for over four decades, being elected ten times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha until 2009 when he retired from active politics,” Sangma said.

“Vajpayee will be remembered by the people of Meghalaya in particular and northeastern states as a whole for his keen interest to develop the North Eastern states was very clear when he day long brainstorming on socio- economic development of the North Eastern States with his key ministers then L. K. Advani, Yashwant Sinha, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission K. C. Pant and Governors and Chief Ministers of the northeastern states to Shillong on January 21, 2000,” the Chief Minister said.

Sangma said that it was under Prime Minister Vajpayee, the Central government created a separate department of Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) to ensure all round development in the region, the East-West corridor connecting Assam’s Silchar with Gujarat’s Porbandar and many more.

“In his passing away, the nation has lost an eminent public figure and multi-faceted personality who made immense contribution for the greater good of our country,” the Chief Minister said conveying his condolences and sympathies on behalf of the people of Meghalaya and from his family members of my late father Purno Agitok Sangma to Vajpayee’s family members.

TRIPURA: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday termed former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death a “great loss to the nation” and said “there is no alternative to him”.

“I have closely seen him in Delhi. He dedicated his life for the cause of the nation. There is no alternative to him,” said Deb, who was in Delhi for many years before becoming Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tripura Pradesh President in January 2016.

Deb, in his condolence message, said Vajpayee held a special place in his heart for the northeastern region.

“It was visible through various visionary measures which were undertaken during his tenure as the Prime Minister.

He created an exclusive Department for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) that handled the matters pertaining to the development of the northeast,” he said.

“It was his (Vajpayee) government which had ensured the formation of the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) to optimise the utilisation of the 10 per cent compulsory allocation of budgetary fund being done for the region.”

Deb, who left for New Delhi on Thursday to attend the last rites on Friday, expressed his deep condolences on the death of former Prime Minister.

Vajpayee passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon after prolonged illness. He was 93.

In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said: “I am extremely saddened by the sad demise of a fatherly figure of our country - former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In his passing away we all are at immense loss.”

“Vajpayee was an iconic and charismatic figure who was loved by all. He was a true statesman who often rose above political differences for the cause of humanity, justice and peace.

He was a true inspiration,” Khandu said in hs condolence message.

“Remembering his gentle soul who will remain forever in our heart. May he rest in peace!” the Chief Minister added.